Yarmouth roller derby league is thriving

Recruitment session at the Yarmouth Mall (centre-court) on March 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

YARMOUTH, N.S. —

Hockey shorts are important donations to the Tri-County Roller Derby. New recruits continue to join the 10-month-old team but once the skates are on there’s always the fear of falling.

Roberta Lyons, founder and president of the local derby, says that’s where the hockey shorts come in.

“The minute they put on a pair of hockey shorts with all the padding they have a whole lot more courage,” she laughed.

The team was one of close to four-dozen groups that submitted applications for grants from the Town of Yarmouth recently. If they receive the $2,000 they asked for, they’ll direct the funds to extra equipment for folks who want to try the sport.

“Our players actually loan out their own personal skates to let people try the sport and see if they like it. Those skaters end up missing a practice,” said Lyons.

There are now close to 20 team members. Some of those participated in a training workshop with New Skids on the Block recently in Halifax.

The team has made several public appearances and performed community work over the past 10 months.

Lyons says girls on the team are nearly ready to take their minimal skills test, which will qualify them to assess other skaters as they come on board as far as their skill levels. It also allows them to participate in black-and-white scrimmages.

“Now they learn how to play derby,” she said.

“In September the league is starting a junior league, ages eight to 17. There’s a lot of interest for that,” she said.

The Tri-County Roller Derby needs a coach, as the previous one left for other commitments. Roller derby knowledge is not necessary, adds Lyons.

Although only women have signed up to date, men are welcome as well. Lyons says they are more apt to be an official at this time as she doesn't have enough men to make up a team.

An official must be able to complete the minimum skating skills as a regular skater to be able to officiate, so they must attend practices as well.

The team is holding a recruitment session at the Yarmouth Mall (centre-court) on March 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those who would like to try on skates and pull on the protective gear to see how it feels.